So what does it mean to be “ready?” It means I knew the pace generally. It means I knew where the breaks were. Some circuits actually stick to the ‘3 minute
active/30 second break’ rule. This one
actually sticks to the rule. I have
found, incidentally, that if the workout is labeled ‘Cardio’ you should be ready
for there to be no breaks. Take them as
needed. Being ‘ready’ means also that I
know what exercises are coming in which circuits and which circuits are really
hard. It is something you have to
experience for yourself because everyone has unique strengths and areas of
weakness that will affect the circuits.
As an example, I happen to be very strong in the oblique
areas and the pushup areas. I am not so
great in things like the Ski Abs and the In and Outs. So, if I know the exercise is moving pushups,
I am good. I can give my all the
exercise before that one
because I know the pushups won’t crush me.
Certain exercises that I am weak at, done in sequence, can really mess
with a circuit. I know I have to go a
little slower and be more deliberate with my form. I don’t like leaving sets and reps on the
floor. I like to do them all. I almost never hit pause unless the water
runs dry or there is an odd level of exhaustion. Pausing usually happens in the first week of
new cycles because I have to adapt to the rhythm of the circuit
What makes Max Interval Circuit such a drag? First, it’s 58 minutes. I will tell you that when you put on the DVD,
and right after Shaun T in the opening montage yells, “Let’s GOOOO,” you see
that 58:00 in the lower left of the TV and cringe. It’s three, three round circuits, not
two. After you have done it once, you
have an idea how to pace yourself. But
when you do it the first time, you just pray for it to be over.
The second reason I find it to be a drag is, so many of the
people on the DVD fall out and take breaks.
None of them seem to be able to sustain both form and energy for an
entire circuit. There is a lot of “COME”
in this DVD. That is “Camera On Me
Energy.” The exercise starts and Shaun
runs to a certain person. They get a
burst of energy because the camera is on them.
As soon as the camera moves, they drop out or stop. You’re at home and you just know that doing
the whole thing with great form is practically impossible. I mean, they chose these people for the
video. They must be in decent shape.
Let’s take Akeel (spelling?). He looks to be in the best shape of
anyone. If one person looks like they are
the poster child for ripped abs, it’s him.
I have yet to see him complete a circuit. I’ve seen all the DVD’s at this point, so I
think it’s safe to say he won’t
be completing one. How am I supposed to
get psyched at home to be able to do all of these? I’ll be honest. That’s my goal. I want to do them all, non-stop, with
energy. I am completely uninspired by
everyone except Ashley. I don’t know
what she’s doing but she’s doing something right.
In my mind, I have altered my thinking so that I can be
successful. I have made it my goal to be
better than the ones who fall out. In my
mind, I laugh and berate them. It’s not
nice, but it gets me through. If I can
do it and they can’t, I’m doing something.
That’s all for today.
Tomorrow is the last day of Phase II, Week One. I need an ‘off day.’
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